A very special baptism -

About two months ago, a couple and their 11 year old son came to Stake Conference. As the meeting started, we noticed that the son sat on a chair facing his parents on the front row. We soon realized that he was signing to them. They are deaf and cannot speak. The son's name is Fabian and the family is the Mendozas.

Prior to that, Fabian had approached the missionaries on the street one day and asked who they were and what they were teaching.  They briefly mentioned their message and he invited them to his home. When the elders arrived at the house they discover that Fabian's parents were deaf. Fabian served as interpreter, signing as the missionaries taught the family the Gospel. In the process, Elder Hackleman has learned enough sign language to be able to communicate fairly effectively with the Mendozas.

On Saturday, May 3, the mother, Teresa Mendoza, and Fabian were baptized. It was a wonderful service. On Sunday, they were confirmed and Fabian sat in front of his mother and translated for her as she was confirmed. It was a beautiful experience.

In my 57 years in the Church, this is the first baptism of a deaf person that I have witnessed. Sister Mendoza is so happy and Fabian has already made friends with some of the boys his age in the ward. Her husband did not get baptized but remains very friendly to the Church. 

We are all trying to learn a few words of signing so that we can communicate with her and her husband. Elder Hackleman says that Spanish signing, at least what is used here in Peru, is different than English signing in the U.S. He thinks it is much simpler.

Yesterday we took our large OxFest picture from the November family reunion to their house and Señor Mendoza is going to make a frame for it.  He is a carpenter and apparently can make anything out of wood. Fabian was there to help translate but the dad manages pretty well with a few words and some gestures.  We will send a photo of the framed picture when we get it.

Elder Hackleman, Brother and Sister Mendoza, Fabian, Sebastian, a friend of Fabian, and Elder Robles at the baptismal service.